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Topic: Hardware

No updated Wii until at least 2012

Summary: According to Reggie Fils-Aime, President and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America, there won't be a Wii update until at least 2012.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

By for Hardware 2.0 |

According to Reggie Fils-Aime, President and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America, there won't be a Wii update until at least 2012.

Fils-Aime releaved this information in an interview with Kotaku:

I asked Reggie the question this morning during an interview at the hotel he's using this week in Manhattan: "Wii 2 is not a must for next holiday?"

His answer: "No."

...

"As we sit here today we're saying the Wii has many, many more units to sell," he said today. "After we've reached an installed base of 45 million here in the U.S., we can have a conversation about the next generation. "

Nintendo has sold some 75 million Wii units worldwide, and some 35 million in the US.

This makes sense. First, Nintendo already has the 3DS in the pipeline that will undoubtedly be a hit for the 2011 holiday quarter, so that will buoy Nintendo's sales. Secondly, it seems to be a trend amongst console makers to stretch out the lifecycle of consoles as much as possible by releasing updates and accessories (the Wii and PlayStation 3 was released November 2006, while the Xbox 360 is a year older, hitting the shelves November 2006).

It's expensive to develop new consoles, and in an economy where people are careful with money, releasing a new one is a gamble. So why gamble?

Topics: Hardware, Mobility

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11 comments
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  • RE: No updated Wii until at least 2012

    I'd like to see them update it a little sooner than that. At the very least make DVD playback an option.
    Loverock Davidson
    Reply Vote

    • Removed

      As soon as I posted my comment, I was sent a link that says I'm wrong. Rather than take a lot of time to research this myself, I'm just going to remove the comment.
      use_what_works_4_U
      Reply Vote

  • Quick correction, Adrian

    "(the Wii and PlayStation 3 was released November 2006, while the Xbox 360 is a year older, hitting the shelves November 2006)."

    Just a small typo; I believe you meant that the Wii and the PS3 were released in November 2006, and the Xbox360 was released in November 2005.
    rlorenz
    Reply Vote

  • Stupid Move

    At least come out with a Wii that supports HDMI...this video composite thing is a joke.
    cyberslammer2
    Reply Vote

    • RE: No updated Wii until at least 2012

      @cyberslammer2

      HDMI would not offer any improvement to the Wii's current graphical capabilities. I know it is a minor inconvenience but unless you are unplugging and plugging it in a lot what is the difference? Just asking.

      I hope they add features like that in the next generation Nintendo Console but see no reason to add it now. Maybe a better storage alternative would be nice though and better online gaming experience.
      bobiroc
      Reply Vote

    • RE: No updated Wii until at least 2012

      @cyberslammer2
      If the Wii had HDMI it would just make the graphics look even more pathetic....
      12312332123
      Reply Vote

    • RE: No updated Wii until at least 2012

      @cyberslammer2 The Wii also supports Component cables. I have my Wii hooked up to my 40" LCD HDTV via component cables and it looks gorgeous, almost as good as my 360, which is hooked to the same HDTV via HDMI.
      guardianmega
      Reply Vote

  • I hope they take their time

    and make a good console. Not that the Wii is not good as I enjoy playing games on that just as much as my XBOX 360 but there is room for improvement. Now that XBOX and Playstation are embracing the motion controlling movement I am eager to see what Nintendo has for the future and if they can retain compatibility with Wii games that would be Awesome. Despite some other's feelings on Nintendo I do feel they are a great innovator in the gaming industry and I have had every nintendo console and I have not one complaint about their quality and gaming experience. I can't say the same for some 3rd party developers though. My biggest beef about the Wii is the lack of built in storage and the cumbersome and lack of online play. The graphics don't bother me too much but would welcome an HD or even higher quality graphic Nintendo Console.
    bobiroc
    Reply Vote

  • RE: No updated Wii until at least 2012

    Sums it up really. Why should they even pretend they are going to release a decent console, when they can rebadge a 10 year old piece of junk and charge you for the privelege? Thats Nintendo for ya.
    12312332123
    Reply Vote

  • RE: No updated Wii until at least 2012

    I will attest to the excellent construction of nintendo gaming consoles. I worked at a Gamestop in 2000 and we used a Nintendo 64 as demonstration for our warranty sales, we would punt it, slam it on the ground, kick it, jump on it, then plug it in and play Conker's Bad Fur Day. people loved it and we sold a ton of warranties because of it (although we almost never sold an N64). Nintendo definitely knows how to manufacture a console!!
    aiellenon
    Reply Vote

  • RE: No updated Wii until at least 2012

    There is a big market at the low end. Wii should lower the price ... further. CF ANDROID ... then lots of freeware, shareware, commercial developers.

    Game players are not into 20/20 high-speed visuals. Wii appeals: great cost, lots of third-party hardware (very cheap), and muscular movements. No IQ required.
    gregzeng@...
    Reply Vote
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